NBA Draft Profiles: Kyle Singler, Duke

Bjorn Zetterberg of SwishScout.com will be helping us out with all of our NBA Draft Profiles this year. You can follow him on twitter @swishscout.

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Stats: 16.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.9 t/o's, 32.1% 3PT

Age: 23, senior

Size:

• Listed: 6'9", 225 lb
• Official: 6'7.5" (no shoes), 6'8.5" (with shoes), 6'10" (wingspan), 8'10" (reach), 228 lb

Strengths: The biggest strength to Singler's game is essentially what you would say about any player that spent four years in college and won multiple conference championships and a national title -- he's a proven winner, a well-rounded player capable of taking over in the Final Four while still willing to dive on the floor for a loose ball or take a charge. Singler is the kind of player that you want as your teammate. He's not going to disrupt a locker room's chemistry and, despite being one of the most highly-regarded players in the country throughout his career, was really nothing more than the nation's best role-player. That is the biggest reason that Singler projects as an NBA prospect -- he's already had to experience playing second, or even third, fiddle in college. Skillwise, there is a lot that Singler does well. He is a good, albeit streaky, shooter from deep, he is a capable ball-handler, he has solid size for an NBA combo-forward, and he is, at the very least, a hardworker on the defensive end.

Weaknesses: While there are a lot of things that Singler does well, there is not anything that he does at an NBA level. When Singler gets hot, he can knock down three or four threes in a row. But overall, he is quite an inconsistent shooter. He struggled for much of his junior season before playing like a first-team all-american the last month and a half. As a senior, his production dipped -- even with Kyrie Irving out -- and he finished the year shooting just 32.1% from deep. Singler is also stuck in that dreaded tweener category. He's not a power forward, but there are questions as to whether he is quick or athletic enough to defend on the perimeter in the NBA. There are also questions about what Singler's ceiling as a player will be. There hasn't been a drastic improvement to his game since his sophomore year in college, and at 23 years old, there is no guarantee that he will get all that much better. Is he ready to be a rotational player in the NBA right now?

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: I like the comparison of Shane Battier. Both former Duke products, Battier has a similar size and athletic profile to Singler. They also have similar skill sets. Battier has made a career out of being a defensive stopper and a knockdown three point shooter. Singler isn't quite on Battier's level at either of those skills, but for him to survive in the NBA, he'll need to take on a Batter-esque role.


• Worst Case Scenario: Brian Cardinal. Cardinal is a bench player for the Mavericks, a guy that comes in to commit a couple of hard fouls here and there, knock down a three if he is left open, and basically be the team's head cheerleader on the bench. High-character guy, good teammate, the kind of 12th man that every championship team in the NBA has. Oh, and he made $37.9 million in the NBA. Not a bad worst case, I guess.

Outlook: Singler doesn't have a huge upside. He'll likely never be an all-star, and may never start an NBA game. But he is still an attractive prospect to NBA teams because of the kind of intangibles that he brings. Singler has already shown that he doesn't have an ego as a player. He is willing to play a role. Its essentially what he has done throughout his career at Duke. He plays hard, he plays smart, and he learned under one of the most respected minds in the college game in Coach K. In other words, he's not only a mature player physically, but he is a mature kid mentally. There is zero risk is picking Singler, as he is a known-quantity at this point. He can come in immediately, provide 10-15 minutes a game as a rookie, play some defense, hit some threes, and limit his mistakes. That should be worth a late-first round pick for a playoff team looking to shore up their rotation.

Draft Range: Late 1st to Early 2nd

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "NBA execs look for similarities for help in projections, so anything Singler can do to separate himself from Hayward would be great, and that starts with his perimeter shot. [Gordon] Hayward was good his first season and bad as a sophomore, and Singler is working on an "average, good, good, average" run over his four years. Combine a sharpshooter with the fighter/hustler Singler has proved to be in the past against a team like Michigan State? That's a guy every team will covet."


• Draft Express: "Though Singler is a proven winner and a relatively complete player at this point in his career, there are questions surrounding the extent of his upside, as he doesn't seem to have improved a great deal over the past few years. Not possessing the size or strength to operate effectively in the post, or the quickness and ball-handling skills to be a great shot-creator on the wing, there are some concerns about whether Singler is destined for a role as a one-dimensional player, one who is not particularly consistent at that particular dimension—shooting."


• Swish Scout: "Multi-Dimensional forward that can shoot from anywhere on the floor, plays with great energy, hustles, defends, has a great bball IQ and flat out makes plays. A Swiss pocket knife on the offensive end who could be an underrated NBA shooter/defender throughout his career after being taken in the second round of the 2011 Draft."

Highlights:




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2010 NBA Draft Early Entrants: So who came back?

The NBA Draft's Early Entry deadline came and went on Sunday. Today, we will provide you with a bit of fodder over how some of this year's decisions could sway the 2010-11 college basketball season. For a complete list of this year's crop of early entrants, click here.

You wouldn't be wrong if you said it seems like half of the college basketball ranks declared for the 2010 NBA Draft. Believe it or not, there were some NBA prospects -- fringe or otherwise -- that decided returning to school was their best option. Now this was nothing like last year, when guys like Cole Aldrich, Willie Warren, and Greg Monroe decided to go to school for another year. There really was only one surprise. But that doesn't mean there isn't some talent that will be hitting the books next season instead of cashing checks.

Keep in mind, this list will (hopefully) grow as players come to realize their true standing in regards to this year's draft class.

So as of today, who's coming back?


Kyle Singler, Duke, forward: Singler was the one surprise that I was referring too. After struggling to acclimate to a more perimeter-centric role with the Blue Devils early on, Singler went crazy over the last six weeks of the season. He capped his junior year off with a fantastic performance in the NCAA Tournament, culminating in the Final Four MOP award as Duke won their fourth national title under Coach K.

Can Kyle Singler win another one?
(photo credit: B/R)

Singler likely would have been a first round pick if he had gone pro. Instead, he decided to return to school to try and lead the Blue Devils to a second straight national title. While the decision was a great one from the perspective of a Duke fan (or a college basketball fan in general, regardless of your feelings about the Blue Devils), it probably won't hurt his potential NBA career all that much. While his stock may never be higher than it is right now, the thing about Singler is that he is a known commodity. Nothing he can do next season is going to hurt his draft stock, and likely won't improve it all that much. He's a combo-forward that is going to play hard and compete, can knock down a jumper, and may be big versatile enough to create mismatches is a team decides to go small and use him at the four.


Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt, sophomore: A lot of fans don't know who Jeff Taylor is, but it is a safe bet that NBA scouts do. Taylor has all the makings of a guy that can develop into an impact small forward in the NBA. He's an explosive athlete with good size (6'7") and length that can defend and rebound. His is still a bit raw on the offensive end, but a jump shot and ball handling can be developed. Tools cannot.

Taylor probably made a good decision to return to school With Jermaine Beal graduating and AJ Ogilvy entering the draft and hiring an agent, Taylor is going to be Vanderbilt's first option next season. If he puts in the work this off-season and can up his production, there is no reason he can't vault himself into the back end of next year's lottery.


Kemba Walker, UConn, sophomore: Walker plays a different position than Taylor -- he is a diminutive point guard as opposed to a "power wing" -- but he is facing a lot of the same problems that Taylor is. Simply put, Walker relies far too heavily on his absurd quickness and ball-handling ability but doesn't quite understand how to run a team. He can lead a fast break as well as anyone at the collegiate level, but can he get a team into an offense and run a system. Next season, Walker will have a chance to work on that as UConn will need to play as much more of a team with talents like Stanley Robinson and Jerome Dyson graduating.

The other thing Walker will have a chance to work on next year is learning his limitations. There are few players that can keep Walker out of the paint, but quite a few that can block his shot or force him into a tough layup at the rim. If Walker wants to be a successful NBA point, he is going to need to learn how to score in the mid-range; to learn when he should pull up for a 10 foot jumper or a short floater as opposed to trying to finish around the rim in traffic.


Elias Harris, Gonzaga, freshman: Harris wasn't considered an NBA prospect when he arrived in Spokane, but he certainly is now. He reminds me a lot of Josh Howard. What I mean is that he is a four at this level, but he has the athleticism and the ball skills to project as an effective three at the next level. Harris is explosive enough to dunk over you and strong enough to bully his way through you, but he also has a finesse game, showing an ability to weave his way through traffic, and can knock down a three.

Elias Harris surprised a lot of people this season.
(photo credit: ESPN)

Harris was a bit inconsistent this past season, which probably had more to do with the fact that he was the third or fourth option most of the season than any knock on his game. With Matt Bouldin gone, it is going to the Harris and Steven Gray show for Mark Few next season. Expect big numbers ffrom the 6'8" 20 year old, and if he can show some development in his ability to play on the perimeter, Harris could be a lottery pick next season.


Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers, Michigan State, juniors: Both of these guys made the right decision to come back to school. Neither had a great junior year, and it wasn't just an issue of their basketball ability. Lucas was the 2009 Big Ten player of the year, but he dealt with leadership and injury issues throughout the season and is currently laid up with a torn achilles tendon. Lucas likely isn't going to be a lottery pick or a primetime player in the NBA, but if he can lead the Spartans to a third straight Final Four, you don't think NBA teams are going to take notice? He's a point guard that can create his own shot, can make a play for a teammate, and is a proven winner. Leadership aside, Lucas seems like he is going to be the kind of player than hangs around the league for 12-15 years as a solid back up point guard.

Summers has a much higher ceiling than Lucas, but it just seems like he doesn't want to tap into that potential. He looks almost apathetic on the court at times. He proved what kind of player he can be as he stepped his game up in the NCAA Tournament without Lucas, earning the Midwest Region's MOP, but one good month doesn't make up for a career's worth of inconsistency.


Other notable names back for another season:

• Scotty Hopson, Tennessee, sophomore: A big time recruit coming out of high school, Hopson needs to prove that he is more than an athlete that can hit a jumper.
• Chris Singleton, Florida State, sophomore: Singleton might have been able to sneak into the first round this season, but like Hopson, he still relies too heavily on being toolsy.
• Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State, freshman(?): Sidney never saw the court this season due to issues with being an amateur. But a 6'11" big man with his talent will always be a prospect.
• Aaric Murray, La Salle, freshman: Murray is a big man with a jump shot, but he needs to prove he can also play in the paint.
  
• Malcolm Lee, UCLA, sophomore: The Bruins just didn't have a good enough season to warrant anyone going pro. Lee is a gym rat, however. I expect him to come back much better next year.
• Trey Thompkins, Georgia, sophomore: I know I wasn't the only one that was impressed by the big man's play towards the end of the season.
  

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Guess who's back, back again...

All it took was one SCOOP from the SCOOPmaster himself to send the Duke Blue Devils flying to the top of every preseason college basketball poll that will come out in the next seven months.

According to FOXSports.com's Jeff Goodman (who else) and later confirmed in a press release by Duke, Final Four MOP Kyle Singler will be returning to Durham for his senior year.

He's back.
(photo credit: Getty Images)

Without Singler, the Devils were going to be good. They return Nolan Smith -- who is going to be on a lot of all-american teams -- along with both Plumlees and Andre Dawkins, will finally get Liberty transfer Seth Curry onto the court, and add freshmen Kyrie Irving, arguably the best PG in the class of 2010 not named Brandon Knight, and Joshua Hairston to mix as well.

But Singler is such a valuable piece. He is capable of playing all-ACC caliber basketball at the three -- which would allow Duke to play two post players -- or the four -- allowing Coach K to use the trio of Curry, Smith, and Irving together. We all saw the Final Four. You know how good Singler is.

With Singler, it is going to be very difficult to argue that Duke isn't the favorite to win a second straight title. That no doubt played a major part in Singler's decision to return. The last time a team won back-to-back titles was the 1991-1992 Duke teams led by Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, and Grant Hill 2006-2007 Florida teams. Who wouldn't want to be associated with a run like that?

That was likely far from the only factor in his decision, however.

You see, everyone and their brother has been declaring for the draft this season with a possible NBA lockout on the horizon. As a result, there is quite a logjam in the 20-45 range. In other words, there are a lot of guys that, in a normal year, would be fighting for a spot at the end of the first round that will drop to the bottom half of the second round. As we all know, the only way to guarantee yourself a hefty contract by leaving early is to be one of the 30 players taken in the first round.

And while Kyle Singler is projected by most to go somewhere in the late first round, he is far from a lock to get that guaranteed contract.

With the number of players that are currently eligible for this year's NBA Draft, its possible that Singler could shoot up to the late lottery next season.

So Singler will return to school, taking a chance on winning a second straight national title and playing his way into the lottery.

Seems like he may have made the right decision.

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Not everyone has declared for the draft yet. Who are we waiting on?

If it seems like everyone and their brother has declared for the NBA Draft this year, well, that's because its true. Currently, 52 players with eligibility remaining have declared for the draft (here is a complete list), with Butler's Gordon Hayward the most recent to join the party.

The reason that so many players are declaring for the NBA Draft this season is the NBA's impending lockout. A lockout means no paychecks, and isn't the main point of declaring for the draft early to get paid?

If the NBA loses the entire 2011-12 season, that means that not only will the player's go without compensation for that season, it would also reset their "rookie clock". The 2012-13 would be the first year under their rookie contract, delaying their opportunity to negotiate their second contract -- when the real money is made -- for another season. That means that two full seasons worth of earning potential would be lost.

Gordon Hayward has declared for the NBA Draft. Will Greg Monroe follow suit?
(photo credit: Zimbio)

That's a lot of money.

A few guys have actually decided to return to school. The biggest names to do so are probably Scotty Hopson, Elias Harris, Kalin Lucas, and Jeff Taylor. Malcolm Lee, Corey Fisher, and William Buford are also returning.

So who is still left?

The way I see it, there are three big names we are still waiting to hear from -- Greg Monroe, Kyle Singler, and Solomon Alabi.

Greg Monroe said he was going back to Georgetown for his junior season immediately after the Hoyas were upset by Ohio in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but few are convinced. Draft Express's Jonathon Givony believes Monroe is currently 50-50, while Jeff Goodman echoes that same sentiment. If Monroe does return, the Hoyas will likely be the favorite to win the Big East, and one of the top five teams in the country.

Monroe's skill set makes him a lock for the lottery whenever he decides to go pro, meaning his only decision is whether or not he is willing to risk that payday.

Kyle Singler is a more interesting prospect. He is a borderline first rounder, projected by most to fall somewhere in the 20-35 range. But after playing great over the final six weeks of the season, culminating with a fantastic performance in the Final Four, Singler's stock may never be higher than it is right now. Singler has said that if he declares, he will likely be in for good, but is it the best decison? If he returns, Singler will be a preseason all-american for a Duke team that will likely be the favorite to win a second straight national title. He'll be able to play more at the combo-forward spot again with Seth Curry and Kyrie Irving coming in, which should help to boost his production. And with the number of players entering this year, Singler would be much more likely to be near the middle of the first round after next season.

But will that be enough to persuade him not to chase the money?

We may not have to wait long to hear from Alabi, as Givony tweeted earlier that he is hearing Alabi will declare, possibly this week. The Florida State big man is your typical 7-foot prospect. He has potential for days, as he is long and athletic but still quite raw. Alabi is closer to being a first round lock than Singler is -- the NBA does love size -- but he may be in more danger of losing his draft stock than the other two players. The younger you are, the more potential you have, and if Alabi comes back for his junior season and fails to be a dominating force, that could be a red flag for NBA teams.

Our guess?

All three go pro.

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Kyle Singler gets flattened

I'm not a particularly huge football fan. I use to like the 49ers a lot back in the days of Steve Young and Jerry Rice, but as their performance has fallen off, my interest level has waned. I never really had a college football team, seeing as UConn just got good a few years ago.

I can enjoy a football game with the best of them, especially when it involves some combination of grilling meat and drinking beer. Still, I'll be honest. The main reason I'll watch a football game is for the big hits. A wide out getting beheaded by a safety. A defensive end burying a quarterback. A running back leveling a linebacker trying to fill a hole.

But the best -- the absolute best -- hits during a football game come on returns. A would-be tackler blindly trying to run down the ballcarrier before getting decleated by vicious block that resembles resembles playing chicken with a Mack truck.

Well, we had one of those last night.

Brian Zoubek missed the second of two free throws and Gordon Hayward had corralled the rebound and taken off up court. Kyle Singler was giving chase when Matt Howard decided to get in the way.

"I was just standing in the way, so I figured I would be useful," Butler forward Matt Howard said.

Just watch it:



Laid out.

Also amusing is the reaction of the manager at the very right of the Butler bench after Hayward's shot bounced off the rim. I don't mean to poke fun at a kid that is clearly devastated, but he looks like he got picked off by a sniper.

Anyway, here's a great picture of the screen (via @joesportsfan).


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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Small Forwards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.
Here are the shooting guards.
These are the small forwards.

Best Freshman

• Jordan Hamilton, Texas
• Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, UConn
• Noel Johnson, Clemson
  

Best of the Rest

• Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
• Edwin Ubiles, Siena
• Quincy Pondexter, Washington
• Patrick Christopher, Cal
• Klay Thompson, Washington State
• Marcus Ginyard, UNC
• Wesley Witherspoon, Memphis
  

Top 10

• 10. Raymar Morgan, Michigan State: As a junior, Raymar Morgan battled mono all season, and thus had the least productive year of his career. Morgan has great size and strength for a wing, which is only complemented by his athleticism. He is still a bit of an enigma offensively. He is not a great shooter and looks out of control at times when he penetrates, but he is excellent around the rim, whether it is off of a drive, a break, a post-up, or an offensive rebound. With a disappointing season culminating in a loss in the title game, expect Morgan to come out hungry this year.
  


• 9. Chris Wright, Dayton: Wright, who has earned the nickname "Top Flyght", may be the best athlete in the country. At 6'8" with a near-40" vertical, he soars around the rim. The problem is, he is still very much just a dunker and a rebounder. To his credit, however, the rest of his game has been coming along. Wright has a decent mid-range game and has improved his handle to the point that he can get to the rim from the wing. Where Wright excels, however, is his ability to make plays defensively, on the offensive glass, and in transition. A potential A-10 player of the year, Wright will be one of the most exciting players in the country to watch.
  

You'll see a lot of this out of Chris Wright this year.
(photo credit: Dayton.edu)

• 8. Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia: Butler is one of the best kept secrets in the country, and will be the most important player for a West Virginia team with Final Four aspirations. With Alex Ruoff graduating, Butler is really the lone offensive threat on the Mountaineers. And he is quite a threat, averaging 17.1 ppg last season. Butler's offensive game starts with his shooting ability, where he is very dangerous when he has a chance to get his feet set and his shoulders squared. He's not an overwhelming athlete, but he is long and strong. At 6'7", he is a good finisher around the rim and has a decent post game. If he can improve his ability to create his own shot using the dribble, he will likely be a first team all-conference selection.
  


• 7. Tyler Smith, Tennessee: Smith is one of the most versatile players in the country. He is built like a power forward, but he has the skills and athletic ability of a small forward. Smith is at his best when he is attacking the basket. Not only is he an excellent passer (and probably the best creator on the Vols), but he can get to the rim and finish or draw a foul. A capable shooter, the key for Smith is to avoid falling in love with the three-ball.
  


• 6. Robbie Hummel, Purdue: Hummel had a disappointing sophomore season as he spent the year battling a painful stress fracture in his spine. Now that he is back healthy, expect Hummel to return to his freshman year form. Hummel is first and foremost a shooter, as he knocked down 45% of his threes in his injury-free freshman season. Hummel is also excellent moving without the ball, whether it is coming off of a screen or cutting to the basket. He does struggle a bit when he is forced to put the ball on the floor, but given the system that Purdue runs, Hummel will not be asked to drive to the basket all that often.
  


• 5. Wesley Johnson, Syracuse: Johnson is still a bit of an enigma at this point in his career. He had an outstanding freshman season for Iowa State, but transferred after an injury plagued sophomore year. He sat out this past season, but given his tools and his skill set, Johnson should fit in perfectly with the Orange. Johnson is a long, 6'7", athletic wing. His offensive game is based on his outside shot, but his athletic ability makes him dangerous in the passing lanes and on the glass. He has drawn quite a few comparisons to Shawn Marion, which is a fair assessment. If he stays healthy this season, Johnson will be one of the best scorers in the Big East.
  

Wesley Johnson shouldn't sneak up on anyone this season.
(photo credit: syracuse.com)

• 4. Manny Harris, Michigan: Out of everyone on this list, Harris is the only guy that could be considered a two guard. But given his ability to affect the game in a multitude of ways, I decided to slide him over to the three. Harris is first and foremost a scorer. A slender 6'5", he uses a quick first step and long strides to get to the rim. Harris is a natural scorer, meaning he just seems to know how to get buckets, but it really is just a nice way of saying "the kid relies too much on athleticism, and not enough on advanced skill, to score." That's true for Harris. He is still a bit toolsy. If he can improve his jumper and his handle, he has the ability to average 20. One place where Harris made significant strides last season, and hopefully will continue to make strides this season, is his efficiency. He forced some shots and some passes last season, but as he continues to get more comfortable in his third season playing for John Beilein, that should become less of an issue.
  


• 3. Kyle Singler, Duke: With Duke lacking in perimeter players and deep in the front court (especially when it comes to perimeter oriented fours), Singler is moving to the three spot this season. What makes Singler so good is that there really isn't anything that he can't do on a basketball court. If a smaller guy is guarding him, he can score in the post. If a bigger guy is, he can step out to the perimeter and knock down a jumper or put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He can rebound. He can pass. He can defend. He hustles. Add to that the combination of Singler being immensley talented and 6'8", 230 lb, and what you get is one of the best players in the country.
  


• 2. Gordon Hayward, Butler: Just a sophomore, Hayward doesn't get the recognition he deserves nationally as he is a huge reason the Butler Bulldogs will be in and around the top ten this season. Hayward's game starts with his jump shot, which is as pure as it gets. Standing 6'8", there aren't many people that Hayward can't shoot over. He also proved to be adept at slashing to the basket last season. Not blessed with greeat athleticism, Hayward is able to penetrate from perimeter due to his craftiness - he knows how to get a defender off balance using an array of fakes, jabs, and hesitation moves.
  

Evan Turner is such a well-rounded player.
(photo credit: SI)

• 1. Evan Turner, Ohio State: Turner may be the most complete player in the country - he was one of two guys to average 17 ppg, 7 rpg, and 4 apg last season. Standing 6'7", Turner is going to play a point forward role this season for the Buckeyes. Why? Because he is such a good play maker and passer. He isn't the greatest athlete in the world, but he is smart and fundamental, especially with the ball in his hands. He makes good decisions - shooting when he's open, passing when he's not - and rarely forces the issue. If improved his stroke from the perimeter (he shot 44% from deep last year, but only attempted 25 threes) over the summer, Turner will be near unstoppable.
  

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No. 11: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Duke Blue Devils

2008-2009 Record: 30-7, 11-5 ACC (t-2nd)

Key Losses: Gerald Henderson (16.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Elliot Williams (4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Greg Paulus (4.9 ppg)

Key Returners: Kyle Singler (16.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Jon Scheyer (14.9 ppg, 2.8 apg), Miles Plumlee (1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Nolan Smith (8.4 ppg)

Newcomers: Andre Dawkins, Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly

Kyle Singler may end up being the ACC player of the year.
(photo credit: Duke Basketball Forever)

The last few seasons, Duke has been notorious for two things - relying on the three-ball to score and their pressuring, over-playing, man-to-man defense. But as the Blue Devils lose so much from their perimeter - Gerald Henderson, Elliot Williams, and Greg Paulus - we are going to be seeing a much different Duke team.

The biggest reason is that the Devils are going to be loaded on the interior this season. It starts with seniors Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas. Zoubek had some fairly high expectations coming out of high school, but has never really found the consistency to be a real factor in ACC play. He isn't strong enough to battle down low and he isn't quick enough to really be a threat on the offensive end. Thomas has been a solid role player in this three years. An excellent athlete with a great motor, Thomas, who may end up coming off the bench, will provide Duke with defense and hustle.

The fact that two seniors may be relegated to the bench should tell you about the potential of this Duke front line. The crown jewels are the Plumlee brothers. Miles, a sophomore, had trouble earning a spot in the rotation last season. He struggled a bit offensively and seemed to get lost at times on the defensive end, but there is no denying his potential. At 6'10", 240 lb, Miles has the build to be an excellent shot blocker but he also has the skills and the athleticism to be a dangerous player on the offensive end. The question is will he put it all together?

Mason, a freshman, might have even more potential. He is a better athlete and more skilled offensively, and while Miles will be stronger in the paint this season after a summer in the weight room, Mason seems to be more of a face-up player. Mason will wreak havoc on the defensive end with his length and should be very dangerous in the open floor.

The other freshman big man is Ryan Kelly. Kelly should be able to fit in at Duke immediately. A lot of scouting reports you read about him are going to say that he plays a "European style". What that means is that the 6'10" Kelly has an offensive game based on the perimeter. He is an excellent shooter with range out to the college three, but he is also a decent ball handler and an excellent passer. Kelly may need a year to become an ACC caliber player on the defensive end, but he definitely will be contributing to the Devils right away.

And then there is Kyle Singler. What can I say about Singler that hasn't already been said? He is one of the best forwards in the country, and will get a chance to prove his ability playing almost exclusively as a three this season. He can shoot, he can get to the rim, he will defend, he can pass, he can rebound. The kid is simply a basketball player, and one of the best in the country. ACC player of the year and first team all-american? Its very possible.

As I said, the back court is where the issues will be this year. Duke only has three guards on the roster - Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, and Andre Dawkins. Smith is the guy a lot of people are saying will be the x-factor of this team. He is going to be starting at the point, and Duke is going to need to him to live up to the hype he had coming out of high school. An excellent defender and athlete for the point guard spot, Smith's offensive ability has been a bit inconsistent in his first two seasons. While he has shown flashes, he hasn't been the all-around scorer and playmaker he was expected to be.

You know what you are going to get out of Jon Scheyer. He's a heady scorer with a knack for hitting tough shots in the mid-range. An under-appreciated defender, Scheyer is a kid who was looked over a bit from a national perspective. The biggest issue for Scheyer is that he struggles when he has to play off the ball. Not because he doesn't have the ability, but because he is unable to take advantage of his size and strength against bigger defenders. Scheyer played his best basketball last season when Elliot Williams was moved into the starting line-up. All of a sudden, the big, strong, and athletic ACC two-guards were defending Williams, and Scheyer was able to go against the smaller point guards, taking advantage of his superior size and strength.

Which is why the signing and development of Andre Dawkins will be so important. Dawkins, who decided to enroll at Duke early instead of attend a fifth year of high school, is an extremely athletic 6'4" wing. He can score, he can defend, and he can get to the rim and finish. But will he be able to compete in the ACC as an 18 year old? If yes, than that will allow Scheyer to play a lot of minutes on the ball. If not, than Dawkins is still going to be playing a lot of minutes. Duke has no one else.

Outlook: The Blue Devils have a lot of potential on this team, and it is too early to peg them right now. I can see this team putting it all together and winning the ACC en route to a Final Four trip. But I can also see their bigs struggling inside, Nolan Smith unable to carry the torch, and the Dukies ending up outside the top 25 most of the year. With their size, length, and athleticism across the front line, and thanks to Coach K's time spent this summer with Jim Boeheim, Duke will be playing more zone than in years past. Will these guys learn to be effective in it? My prediction: 11-12 ACC wins, 24 or 25 wins on the year, and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen as a 4 or 5 seed.
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